Chapter 383: 1-7

Giving her two slices and five for myself, I got two juice boxes out from the fridge letting her hold them, and following Oakley’s scent to the theater. The screen nearly took up one whole wall, and four levels each holding three sofas, a lamp on the table between them. “Kayla where do you want to sit?” Lucy asked her, but she turned to me instead. “On the top that way we can play a game on the ground in front of the chairs and we won’t bother anyone.” As we ate, Kieran and Tera came in, each placing plates on the table to the left, the smell of popcorn was in the air, stuffing the last bit in my mouth I went and grabbed some for Kayla and I. “Where’s mine?” Lucy asked when I set them down ready to sit myself. I opened my mouth, closing it and just gave her mine, “I was joking,” she laughed, but I went to get my own. I don’t know how much fun Lucy had, but after eating while the first movie was playing Kayla and I played Connect Four nearly eight times, followed by two games of Candyland. Kieran, Oakley, Kiley and Tera were at the bottom of the stairs playing monopoly until Oakley won – she always won even when we played back in Middleburg – and they put on the final movie. By then I could tell that Kayla was sleepy, her eyes drooped and she was really sluggish, “Time to change into your pajamas,” Lucy coaxed her up and headed to the bathroom. Wanting to keep my promise, I left the theater and went to change into my wolf, trotting back in and leaping up onto the sofa Kayla was already getting comfortable on. Cuddling close, I settled just as the movie started, Kayla hugging her toy wolf and me; she released a long humming sigh, and in no time her breathing evened out before the movie was even a quarter in. . . . Chris POV Shavon came out to the back much like she had in the morning when I came home from Chelsea’s house, the two of us, Rainy, my father and Nico – Lucy’s mate – watching Lucy, Kayla and Ben leaving the house. “So… he showed up?” she asked teasing me but I could hear the surprise as well as seriousness in her voice. I nodded, “Yeah,” just as I answered mom came out with a tray of brownies, toped with vanilla ice cream, “And Kayla, Chris and Ben made this together,” mom placed it on the table. Shavon was a bit surprised but no more than me, “He came, brought supplies, activities and it was easy going,” she nodded. “He doesn’t treat her different,” I whispered not touching my dessert. Dad lifted a brow in my direction, “Why would he?” I’m sure Shavon, Nico and Rainy all wondered the same thing. I didn’t want any of my children to grow up and be adults just yet considering just where they were mentally, but I could only hope they were each bless with mates like Ben. Ones that wouldn’t make them feel inadequate. “No, not differently but… he doesn’t… I’m sure the last thing he wants to do at eleven years old is sit inside and make brownies and put puzzles together. In fact I’m pretty sure he’s very sporty, he plays soccer, saw him playing volleyball and he’s – he’s the water Elemental, so I’m sure he’d prefer going for a swim before he did anything, he did today.” “Soccer is a somewhat contact sport and volleyball is fun when played with others, most people playing swimming games are touching; he came up with a fun day for her when those things weren’t his idea of fun,” I explained. Rainy smiled large, my dad bit his lip before turning in the other direction, while Shavon just looked between them, puzzled to their reactions. “So what you mean to say is… you didn’t find playing house with me when I was five fun? Taking Logan and me for ice cream? How about coloring with me?” Rainy asked the smile on her face brilliant. But even that couldn’t calm my racing thoughts, or heart. “He – for a kid – I mean he-” “Is thoughtful?” I nodded my vision blurring, I calmed myself before I spoke again, “It’s more than that, he knows not to get too close, and he spent more time sneaking glances at Kayla than on the actual puzzle. Geez he even made a puzzle of her with Chelsea-” “You did all those things for me,” Rainy whispered again. “His sisters mate, Kieran, was hurt, and Ben was awake all night, but he came here, and – and she’s so different around him. Anything he talks about he explains so she understands,” I shook my head. “I’m not sure where you’re going with this Chris?” Shavon said her head cocked to the side, “You’d rather she had someone that… what? Ignored her past and did the opposite of what would be healthy for her?” “No of course not-” “Then be happy for her,” I shook my head, “I am happy for her, I mean I told you this morning, the way she woke up, her face serene and no tension in her body.  We’ve been here for a little over two months; she’s never gone as far as that little meadow, or to sit at the private beach. She just left for a sleepover, something – I just – and she wanted to go Shavon,” my thoughts are all broken. “He asked her and she turned to me – asking for something. She never asks for anything-” “Chris,” Shavon started off her smile not meeting her eyes, “You let her go, but most importantly, do you see how amazing this is? This step she just took? Wanting to go with him?” I didn’t answer her, “You know in this situation the risks for that little girl? The research, the percentages… entering abusive dysfunctional relationships where she’s only hurt because that’s what she knows. Most importantly, she left, not to go spend the night with Ben alone. I’m sure that there are going to be other people there… right?” I nodded, “Yes, Bens sister Oakley, Kiley, Tera, Kieran-”